Political commentary from the LA Times

House chafes at Senate 'dithering,' plans 2010 payback

December 16, 2009 | 9:09
am

The House of Representatives has always been the stepchild. With 435 members, it's hard to remember all the players, let alone invite them all on TV. The Senate, with only 100 members, each with a lot more power, usually basks in the attention.

This week, as President Obama courted members of the Senate Democratic Caucus on healthcare, House Democrats went public with long-festering resentments toward what some refer to as the Upper Chamber.

So it came as no surprise last week when Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised House freshmen that in 2010 she would not force them to vote on any controversial issues -- immigration, union protection, same-sex marriage -- unless the Senate goes first.

Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly, who heads the freshman class, said Pelosi's message was well received. “Freshmen, particularly, are not enamored of the idea of being asked to walk the plank on a controversial item if the Senate is not going to take any action,” he said.